Abduction – Toutes Blessent, La Dernière Tue

Written by on 17-12-2023 at 21:47.

Abduction previously entranced me with their previous album, Jehanne, that told the story of Jeanne D’Arc. And honestly, it really is worth listening to that melodic black metal gem again. Toutes Blessent, La Dernière Tue, also released via Finisterian Dead End in collaboration with Frozen Records, may also have its cultural-historical interpretation. The four gentlemen, however, did not want to make a concept album this time. In their own words: looser themes are fitted together into one whole. They are dealing with the First World War, personal development, current society’s view on ageing and the treatment of our elderly. There is even a song about Cyrano De Bergerac. All, to me, quite interesting approaches.

I have noticed that a work of Hubert Robert, a leading French landscape painter from the 18th century, has been used as the cover design. It is also interesting to know that the album recordings were again done in Brussels and more specifically in the Opus Magnum Studio of Déhà. It is also noteworthy that a cover by Mylène Farmer is used as a video clip. It shows how the band is rooted in its cultural and historical background.

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Is  Toutes Blessent, La Dernière Tue, title of the album as well as of the album opener, a reference to the book of the same name by Karine Giébel or is it a reference to the Latin saying ‘Vulnerant omnes, ultima necat’? A saying that we sometimes come across on watches, sundials and churches. I will not commit to any interpretation but it does becomes clear that despite our four French friends stipulating not to deliver a concept album, you can definitely say that the topics they deal with are quite important.

The music is very layered and narrative; the vocals are a key factor here. Excellent clean vocals often take precedence over the more classic screams which we are of course more than used to. The black metal foundations are very present but building further on this, a lot of angles, sides, peculiar turns, etc. are chosen. Something that is apparent after only two songs. The whole thing does not seem to catch on or can be grasped immediately. It is, however, more than worth keeping your patience and listening to this album several times. The musical experience is really moving and the level of quality has even been improved compared to the previous work. Technical ingenuity is more than present, as is playing with different dynamics and tensions.

My favorite song on this quite complex black metal piece is Les Heures Impatientes. A song that in its first bars feels like a more classic song from the French wave of black metal. A song that is characterized by a rock-solid clean sung part.

Toutes Blessent, La Dernière Tue is a classic album in all its facets. Abduction shows what they have to offer. Strong, very strong album!

Score:

90/100

Label:

Finisterian Dead End/Frozen Records, 2023

Tracklisting:

  1. Toutes Blessent, La Dernière Tue
  2. Disparus De Leur Vivant
  3. Dans La Galerie Des Glaces
  4. Les Heures Impatientes
  5. Par Les Sentiers Oubliés
  6. Carnets Sur Récifs
  7. Cent Ans Comptés
  8. Contre Les Fers Du Ciel
  9. Allan (Mylène Farmer cover)

Line-up:

  • Guillaume Fleury – Guitar
  • Mathieu Taverne – Bass guitar
  • Morgan Velly – Drums
  • François Blanc – Vocals

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